Defendant in SCAD student slaying pleads guilty

Savannah Morning News

Thursday

Apr 28, 2011 at 11:40 PM

The youngest of three men charged in the Oct. 28 slaying of Savannah College of Art and Design student Sean Giroir on Wednesday pleaded guilty to a reduced homicide charge in exchange for his testimony against his two co-defendants.

Daniel Izzo, 19, entered a negotiated guilty plea to a charge of voluntary manslaughter before Chatham County Superior Court Judge John E. Morse Jr. He also pleaded guilty to related charges of aggravated assault, armed robbery and burglary.

As part of the negotiated plea, prosecutors agreed to reduce the indictment charge of murder to the lesser, included offense. Murder is punishable by a mandatory life in prison term; voluntary manslaughter by a maximum of 20 years in prison.

Izzo’s sentencing will be held until after he completes his end of the agreement with prosecutors and testifies against co-defendants Alex Cowart and John A. Adams, both 21.

All three defendants were indicted on murder counts in the case.

Other details of Izzo’s sentencing agreement were not disclosed.

All three remain in the Chatham County jail without bond.

Giroir, 20, and Mike Levi were shot during a home invasion at 1912 Barnard St. in the Metropolitan neighborhood during which cash and marijuana were grabbed, police said.

Another man staying at the home, Miles Antle, told police he and the victims followed the invaders to a nearby street corner and shots were fired, police said.

Both Giroir and Levi were wounded, Giroir fatally.

High-speed chaseends in wreck, arrest

After a high-speed chase into downtown Savannah, a 24-year-old man ran into Greene Square early Thursday morning, just two blocks from Savannah-Chatham police headquarters.

Detectives caught Terry Christopher Grubbs, 24, after a foot chase, arrested him and charged him with armed robbery, fleeing police and violating probation, all felonies. He also has been charged with reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.

Another man, suspected of helping Grubbs rob a home in the 200 block of Goebel Avenue, got away.

The robbery was reported just before 12:30 a.m. The victim told police that two men, one of whom had a gun, broke into his house, woke him and demanded money. The victim said when he refused to give up cash, the robbers grabbed some of his belongings and fled.

A block south of the Goebel Avenue home, an officer attempted to pull over a white Chevrolet Cobalt. The driver wouldn’t stop, and when the officer was heard talking about the robbery over the police radio, he put two and two together, called for backup, and started to chase the car.

The driver allegedly fled west into downtown, running through red lights and stop signs at more than 80 mph before running into Greene Square. Police say two men fled from the car on foot, and they caught Grubbs, who was the driver. The other man got away.

Police are asking anyone with information on the robbery to call detectives at 912-651-6694 or Crimestoppers at 912-234-2020. Tipsters, who remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward, also can send a text message to CRIMES (274637). In the body type, include “CStop2020” plus the tip.

Coast Guard crews rescue boaters

The Coast Guard rescued four boaters Wednesday in distress near Wassaw Sound.

Operational watch standers at Coast Guard Sector Charleston received a report from four boaters in distress after their 24-foot vessel, Second Chance, had lost power and broke free from anchor in Wassaw Sound on Wednesday about 6:17 p.m.

Coast Guard Air Station Savannah launched an MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter crew at about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and hoisted three of the boaters who were located on Wassaw Island.

Coast Guard Station Tybee Island launched a 25-foot rescue boat crew at about 6:35 p.m. Wednesday and retrieved the remaining boater who had gotten stranded in a nearby marsh after attempting to swim after the drifting boat.

No injuries were reported.

Go to savannahnow.com to watch video of the rescue.

Police ask for help in identifying robber

Savannah-Chatham police are asking for the public’s help identifying a man who robbed the Circle K convenience store on Quacco Road just after 5 a.m. Saturday.

Witnesses describe the suspect as a Hispanic man standing 5 feet, 8 inches to 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighing about 170 pounds. He was wearing a rust-colored hooded sweatshirt and a white painter’s mask when he robbed the store.

Police are asking anyone with information on the robbery to call detectives at 912-651-6694 or CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020. Tipsters, who remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward, also can send a text message to CRIMES (274637). In the body type, include “CStop2020” plus the tip.

Compiled by Jan Skutch and Constance Cooper

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